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Saturday, August 30, 2008

I was directed to this video from the most recent post at Hoosier Beer Geek. This video does a good job at telling the history of Budweiser's American Ale, it gives a little insight into the steps they take in product development. It was a great find! Now how do I apply to be one of those tasters....

One more video. Here's another follow up on the American Ale. A group of experts got together for a special tasting and it was caught on video. It may surprise you what they say...

Thursday, August 21, 2008

It's time for the 2008 Beer Lover's Choice. In 2007, Sam Adam's fans voted for the Sam Adams Irish Red. This year, you can choose between the Blackberry Witbier and the Coffee Stout.

Here's a brief description of the two brews from the Sam Adams website:

Blackberry Witbier: "We brewed a traditional witbier with orange peel and coriander, and then added a hint of blackberry. The aroma has distinct blackberry notes with a subtle spice character. The flavor is complex with malt and cereal notes, intense spice and citrus flavors and a smooth sweet/tart berry finish."

Coffee Stout: "Known as the the “land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda produces some of the world’s finest coffee due to its volcanic soil, high altitude and plentiful rain. We are partnering with Thousand Hills Coffee as a source for this Rwandan coffee. Working with micro-entrepeneurs like Thousand Hills Coffee offers some of the world’s best ingredients and a chance to give the little guy a leg up. We start with a clean, dry stout brewed with a bit of smoked malt and dark roasted barley, and then age it for one week on whole coffee beans - 3/4 of a pound per barrel. The result is a rich, roasty flavor with a smooth finish."

Tomorrow, August 22, 2008, a tasting event is taking place at TC Alibi's Whiskey Bar between 6 to 7:30 pm.

Wow, this was one of the best films in a long time. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was outstanding. It really built on the previous film. Lots of action. Big, loud, and exciting, just what I needed on a cloudy Thursday morning.

Aguascalientes, MexicoIt may not be Cancun, but this new hot-spot offers a more relaxed authentic Mexican location. With tons of colonial rich architecture, plenty of lush spas, and years of rich Mexican history, Aguascalientes is more than a growing industrial hot-spot.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Today, I got to try the new Volcano Taco. I don't want to give to much information on it becuase it doesn't go on sale until the end of the month. From my first impression, I am starting to see Taco Bell trend to a menu with a little kick. The volcano taco is very similar to the Queso Crunchwrap, as far as taste goes.

What I am really looking forward to is the new box meal? This will feature the Volcano Taco, a burrito (likely a Burrito supreme), a crunchwrap, twist, and a large drink all for just 5.99. You can't beat that combo.

Friday, August 15, 2008

This is pretty neat because I spent last year thinking that I was 26, already. It's like a make-up year, which is nice. Do-over's are good things when used in moderation.

Boy, do I love birthday's. The best part is getting birthday wishes from everyone. I always take them sooooooo personal too. Hearing from people you haven't talked to in years is awesome, even if it's just a 'hi, how are you'.

Anyways, I've got big plans for that day. I'm gonna be a big spender. Today's license plate renewal day...so I'm gonna make my way over to the BMV for some hoppin' birthday fun. Drop me some money to get new, shiny white license plates. Then, its off to the optomotrist for some more b-day fun. It's gonna be a crazy, wild time.

I put down some different grasses and an annual called an Alternanthera. It helps add a little color to the area. In between the tall grass, is grasslike perennial called Lily Turf. This should really look nice in a few years.

As you can see, I put down fresh mulch and replace the empty spot on the far right of the picture with our pineapple water fountain.

Our pear trees in front, got new mulch and a few plants to help fill out the base.

Finally, the landscaping on the east side of the house was widened about two foot and given fresh mulch. I also transplanted on of my burning bushes to this side with the hope that it comes grows better and planted some Lily Turf too.

So Stacy doesn't believe that we have frogs in our yard. She thinks that I am a. crazy or b. mistaking the likeness of a toad as a frog. But...ho,ho,ho...I'm get to show her. I caught one today. It was jumping from the lawn mower. So using my cat like reflexes, I pounced on the little guy, trapping him in my hat. Then, after a few minutes of deliberation, I decided to make a little home for the guy. Just something small, made out of tupperware with air holes, so that he could hang out in the AC while we waited for Stacy to get off work.

The story doesn't end here. After I found the tupperware bowl I wanted, I went to take him out of my hat, and he wasn't there. He had jumped out the backend, and was setting on a muffin looking at me. No keep in my that this is taking place in the kitchen. As I tried to put him in the bowl, he hopped behind the knife set. When I moved the knives, he hopped behind the spices. And then he disapeared. I started to freak out a little at this point. I started moving everything off the counter, and crawling around on the floor. Finally, i saw him by the stove, but before I could mutter a word...the little guy jumped behind the stove.

After a few minutes of panicking, I finally called Stacy and told her that I had an emergency. Of course, she thought I cut myself again...but I didn't, this was worse. I lost a frog behind the stove.

She told me to move out the stove, and I did...and the little guy wasn't there. I looked and looked....finally I found him tucked under the stove plug-in. Using a broom and the bowl, I trapped him, photographed him, and now he's hanging out until Stacy gets home.

I may take him to the bus stop, just so he doesn't escape again. But anyways, let me introduce you to my new little friend, Mr. Frog.

From what I've been able to find out he's a leopard frog. Here's what wikipedia says about these little guys...

The leopard frogs were often separated with the American Bullfrog and relatives in a genusLithobates - the common name "cow frogs" (as in "smaller than a bull") refers to their close relationship. But Lithobathes is presently seen as a subgenus of Rana by most authors, and as it seems it does not actually contain the leopard-bullfrog group.

Okey-dokey, it's friday foto fiesta time, and I have a special treat for everyone. Back in the day, we lived in an apartment that had a terrible wasp problem. I'd call the office people but they would never really take care of the problem. Needless to say, I decided to take the issue into my own hands.

Since these were aggressive wasps, I wanted to be very careful in my attack on the wasps. Here's a picture of my homemade wasp killin' outfit. As you will see, it consists of a laundry basket to protect my face, a thick orange down jacket to scare any wasps that wish to attack and add inches from their stinger to my skin, winter gloves for hand protection, and some groovy red sweat pants (just for style). Oh yeah, and a can of wasp spray which shoots a distance of at least 8 feet.

In the end, the spray worked. The wasps just kind of walked around and fell to the ground, but if they would have attacked, the wouldn't have been able to penetrate my super wasp killin' outfit.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Honestly, I don't know a thing about gymnastics, but I have been paying attention to a developing side story. It begins with Raj Bavshar. Raj failed to make the team for the 2004 Olympics. And, failed again in 2008.

During the 2008 Olympic trials, he was spectacular. Continually, Raj pulled together great performance after great performance, but still missed the cut. With Paul Hamm pulling out of the Olympics and Morgan following suit, we'll likely see Raj representing the USA and I'm not worry about that.

After a 63 hour work week, I'm pretty worn out. Pretty tired. Feeling a little puny. But...I do have a few things I am looking forward, too, such as; a couple days off in a row, a beer tasting at the Brugge with the Hoosier Beer Geek crew, and a chance to get a haircut.